Magic in the Mist

Chapter Fifteen

     Hazel smiled, leaning her head out of the window. She grabbed onto Thalia's hand and pulled herself out, sitting on the skirt of Orian's saddle.

'Ready?' Thalia said.

'Yeah,' Hazel replied, slipping her hands around Thalia's waist as she spurred Orian forward as he soared up into the air. 'How did you know I was here?' Hazel asked.

'Seridia brought Orian in, said you'd come back. I went to the castle, but Quen Raya looked infuriated and turned me down. So, I got Orian and came back to the castle to get you.' Thalia explained as Orian climbed higher into the air, finally stopping when the island was small below them.

'Where are we going?' Hazel asked as they soared above the ocean.

'You said you wanted to see your dad,' Thalia said. 'I guess I just have to trust Orian that he'll show me the way.'

Hazel felt a wave of happiness flooding over her, she hadn't seen her dad for about a week, he must have been worried sick.

'You remembered me telling you that,' Hazel said happily.

'How could I forget?' Thalia said, warmth in her voice.

Hazel smiled, looking down again at the ocean that seemed to stretch for miles. But now, they seemed to be coming closer and closer. . . just then, Orian pulled out of the dive and soared just above the ocean, and Hazel could see the coastline of her town coming into view. . .

'We're here,' Hazel said as Orian touched down on the sand, snorting in triumph.

Hazel dismounted Orian, smiling as her boots touched down on the sand that she knew as her home. Thalia dismounted Orian next, grabbing the get down rope and gesturing to Hazel to lead the way. Hazel started to lead the way through the small neighborhood and immediately felt at home. She was talking a mile a minute, telling Thalia all about the town as she followed behind her, Orian's hooves clip-clopping against the asphalt.

'And here is my house,' Hazel said, stopping in front of the house she knew as her home.

She looked up to the attic that Orian had crashed into and saw sloppy pieces of wood over the hole.

Silly dad, Hazel thought happily.

'Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go!' Thalia said, tying Orian to a nearby tree using a daisy knot and running up the driveway to Hazel's door. 'After you, ma'am,' Thalia said, bowing to Hazel and opening one hand towards the door. Hazel smiled, kissing Thalia's cheek and watching as her face flushed red. Hazel then turned to the door, taking a deep breath before knocking. Hazel heard her father's footsteps as he clambered down the stairs.

'Coming! Dang girl scout cookies—' he muttered under his breath as he opened the door.

He looked just like he had a week ago, well-dressed and clean, except for his eyes, which looked blood-shot, and the fact that he had dark circles under his eyes. Before he could say anything, Hazel threw herself into his arms, holding back tears as she embraced her father.

'Hazel. . .? you—you were gone for so long, I didn't know where you could have gone, I assumed the pegasus was still there so I got hay, but either it's gone or it won't eat, I was so worried, I asked all around but no one had seen you, I-I called the police, but they couldn't help, it's like you just disappeared and—' her dad said, talking a mile a minute.

'Dad, I'm fine.' Hazel said. 'I was taking the tarp down when I fell off. Orian caught me, but he flew off and took me to a mythical island in the pacific with magic and elves and dragons. . . I wanted to come back, but it was just so complicated, so different. . .' Hazel wiped away a tear that threatened to run down her face and took another deep breath.

'That's why you look so different,' her dad remarked with a small smile. 'You even have a sword,' he said, looking at the sheath buckled around her waist.

'Yeah,' Hazel said. 'I brought someone,' she continued, taking a step backward and gesturing to Thalia.

'Nice to meet you, sir Martinez.' Thalia said, bowing slightly to Hazel's dad.

'Please, call me Eric.' he said with a nod.

'No problem,' Thalia said.

'Well please, come in.' Eric said, stepping aside so the two could walk into the house. 'Hazel, I have something for you,' Eric said, turning around and grabbing a small parcel, wrapped neatly.

'What's this?' Hazel asked, taking it from her dad's hands.

'It's your birthday, March tenth, remember?' he said.

'Oh! I forgot, there's so much stuff going on. . .' Hazel said, beginning to unwrap the present. Inside was a jewelry box that, when Hazel opened it, had a necklace with a small moonstone crystal and gold chain. 'Mom's necklace?' Hazel said, happiness and sadness running through her as she held the necklace up.

'You are seventeen,' her dad said with a smile as Hazel put on the beautiful necklace.

'Thank you,' Hazel said truthfully.

'Do you need food?' Hazel's dad asked, checking his watch. 'It's two o'clock, and I assume you haven't had lunch yet.'

'Sure,' Hazel said with a sideways glance at Thalia. 'What would you like?'

'Um, what do you have?' Thalia asked.

'Anything, really.' Hazel said.

'Is bread okay? Maybe a sandwich?' Thalia asked slowly.

'Yeah, we have that.' Hazel said, grabbing Thalia's hand and leading her to the kitchen where she grabbed two pieces of bread. 'Toasted or no?' Hazel asked, holding up the bread.

'Uhm. . . toasted?' Thalia asked, looking heavily confused.

'Toasted means slightly heated. Like cooking meat, but with bread.' Hazel explained.

'Okay, sure.' Thalia said.

'Right, I'll do that.' Hazel said, putting the pieces of bread together and putting both of them on one of the toaster slots. 'Do you want meat, cheese?' Hazel asked.

'You have cheese?' Thalia asked, her eyes brightening.

'You don't?' Eric asked.

'Um, where I live, we only have wheat, some vegetables, some fruits, and a little bit of meat, but no cheese or butter.' Thalia explained.

'Okay, well I bet today will be a luxury.' Hazel said, opening the fridge and pulling out some meat and cheese.

She placed them on the island then turned to the toaster right as the bread popped out. Hazel grabbed the toast carefully and placed it on the island. She then turned around once more and grabbed a plate from a cabinet. Hazel placed one piece of bread on the plate, buttered it then put on cheese and meat.

She then buttered the other piece and placed it on top of the sandwich and handed the plate to Thalia.

'Thank you,' Thalia said, taking the plate and taking a bite of the sandwich. 'I haven't had cheese or butter in so long. . .' As Thala ate, Hazel turned around and bounded up the stairs, bolting down the hall and opening her door. The moment it opened, Bri zoomed out, tweeting madly as she circled around Hazel.

'Hey, you little rascal.' Hazel giggled, turning around and walking back down the hall, Bri sitting nicely on her shoulder. Hazel walked back down the stairs, letting some golden magic out of her hands for Bri to fly around and chase them.

'Who's that?' Thalia asked, gesturing to Bri.

'My mom got it for me before she died, it's all I have left of her.' Hazel said with a shuddering sigh. 'Hey, Thalia, maybe I could show you around town later?' Hazel suggested, changing the subject. 'Get some ice cream or something.'

'Ice cream?' Thalia said.

'You'll love it, it's great.' Hazel reassured her.

'Okay. Ice cream it is!'

Sorry for not updating for a bit! I promise I will try to get back on track.